Diary of a Lady Band Director
I know what you’re thinking, “It’s just band, who cares?” Well, a lot of people do. As the school year comes to a close, you hear a lot about the strengths and weaknesses of America’s educational system. However, in recent years, there has been more emphasis on STEM and less focus on the arts — especially music.
Ok, well isn’t that a good thing?
Not necessarily, while yes you want children to be able to focus on mathematics, science, reading and other things.. It’s important for students to engage in art or extracurricular activities because they foster creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and self-expression. These activities also provide a well-rounded education that helps students develop skills beyond academics, such as communication and time management. Additionally, participation in extracurriculars can enhance college applications and provide opportunities for personal growth and exploration.
As stated by Ashley Bolter; While studies have shown that participating in any extracurricular activity can be beneficial and help a person develop some of these skills, marching band is so uniquely positioned at the junction between a physical activity, a performing art and a social group that members reap all of these benefits.
Band is definitely one of those activities that will help you round out your life, gain a better understanding of people, and just give you a richer experience during your scholastic tenure.
Ok, but who is this lady?
This wonderful lady is Krystal Williams. She is an educator who hails from Maryland. She attends/host various conferences and clinics to advocate for the importance of music, not just for educational purposes. She has been a pillar in her community, working with nonprofits like The Marching Elite and nurturing minds at her current school in Prince George’s County. Her main goal is to ensure that everyone has access to the best education. She also equips others with tools and consistently conducts virtual workshops. With an open-door policy, she is always ready to engage in conversations about improving music for all.
She also has a podcast coming up on April 11th, Tune in at 8pm, Monday, April 11th for the newest Arts Advocacy 101 episode, “Bringing you A-G.A.M.E. to Arts Advocacy.”
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In this episode (part 3/4) presented by Krystal Williams, you will learn how to develop your skills in becoming an effective arts education advocate, by bringing your A-G.A.M.E. Advocacy — Gathering, Agency, Media, and Education.
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Click the link to set a reminder and watch
